Key and action assembly for musical instruments



C. F. STEIN KEY AND ACTION ASSEMBLY FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS Filed April30, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 MW mm 3 a kw mw IN V EN TOR.

Charleafieden'c/o fil eb'n/ C. F. STEIN Dec. 30, 1958 2,866,371

KEY AND ACTION ASSEMBLY FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS I Filed April so, 1956 2Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR- rickSZz'n KEY AND ACTION ASSEMBLY FOR MUSICALINSTRUMENTS Charles Frederick Stein, La Grange, ill assignor to Pratt,

Read and Company, Inc., Ivoryton, fjomn, a corporation of ConnecticutApplication April 30, 1956, Serial No. 581,643 16 Claims. (Cl. 84-437)This invention relates generally to a key and action assembly for amusical instrument, and more particularly to a simple action for usewith instruments having horizontally positioned vibratile memberswherein the action includes a hammer which swings upwardly to hit thevibratile member. This application is a continuation in part of mycopending application Serial No. 507,536 filer May 11, 1955, assigned tothe same assignee as this application and now abandoned.

Musical instruments having actions with upwardly striking hammers havebeen used for a very long time, with grand pianos being an example ofsuch instruments. In such instruments it is desired that the hammerswing freely as it strikes the vibratile member to provide the desiredtone. For this reason, actions have provisions for what is known aslet-off so that the coupling between the key and the hammer isdisengaged prior to the hammer striking the vibratile member. Anotherrequirement for such actions in addition to the let-off effect is thatvery fast repetition be provided. This requires very quick re-engagementof the action and is made difiicult because of the requirement forlet-off. To satisfy these requirements prior upwardly striking actionshave been quite complex, have included a large number of parts, andhave, therefore, been quite expensive. This has resulted in instrumentsusing such actions, such as grand pianos, likewise being expensive.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a simplekey and action assembly for a musical instrument having an upwardlystriking hammer for engagement with a horizontally positioned vibratilemember.

A further object of the invention is to provide a simple action formusical instruments which has effective let-off characteristics andwhich also provides fast repetition.

Another object of the invention is to provide an action for a musicalinstrument which includes a minimum num ber of parts and in whichadjustment of the action may be very easily accomplished.

A feature of the invention is the provision of a key and action assemblyincluding a hammer having an upwardly directed head and a flyjackpivoted to the hammer butt and position-ed to directly engage theoperating key, with the flyjack having an engaging surface whichprovides let-off and repetition characteristics.

Another feature of the invention is the provision of a musicalinstrument action having an upwardly striking hammer adapted to engagethe underside of a horizontal vibratile member and having a dampernormally engaging the vibratile member, with the damper having a portionpositioned to be engaged by the hammer for moving the damper out ofengagement with the vibratile member as the hammer head approaches thesame.

A further feature of the invention is the provision of a simple upwardlystriking action in which the hammer includes a butt having a flyjackpivotally connected thereto, with a spoon member secured to the hammerbutt cooperating with friction means on the fiyjack for tion ispositioned adjacent the capstan.

2,856,? Patented Dec. 30, 1958 checking rebounding action of the hammer,and for properly positioning the flyjack for successive operations.

A still further feature of the invention is the provision of a key andaction assembly including an upwardly striking hammer having a buttportion with a flyjack pivoted thereon, with the flyjack having stepportions for engaging a capstan secured to the key, in which the capstanengages the lowermost step portion to move the hammer upwardly towardthe string until a certain point is reached at which the fiyjack rotatesto a position so that an offset portion is positioned adjacent thecapstan thereby providing let-off action. Engagement between the capstanand the offset portion, however, causes operation of the hammer toprovide fast repetition action.

Further objects, features and the attending advantages of the inventionwill be apparent from a consideration of the following description whentaken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 illustrates the key and action assembly in the normal unoperatedposition;

Fig. 2 illustrates the assembly with the key depressed and the actionjust at the point of let-off;

Fig. 3 shows the action in position for repetition; and

'Figs. 4-6 show a second embodiment of that key and action assembly inaccordance with the invention in various positions.

In practicing the invention, there is provided a key and action assemblyfor a musical instrument which has a horizontally positioned vibratilemember positioned to be struck by the upwardly swinging hammer. Theaction includes fixed rail means to which the butt of the hammer ispivoted. Pivotally connected to the hammer butt is a flyjack whichextends downwardly from the hammer butt and has a stepped lower surface.The key is positioned on a key frame with the rear end thereof under theflyjack, and includes a raised portion or capstan engaging the steppedlower surface of the flyjack. The hammer may be pivoted to swing eitherrearwardly or forwardly with respect to the key. A damper is alsopivoted to the fixed rail structure and has a head portion held againstthe vibratile member by action of a spring. The damper is operatedthrough a screw positioned to be engaged by the hammer butt so that thehead of the damper is moved away from the vibratile member as the hammerhead approaches the same. Alternatively the damper may be positioned toengage the upper surface of the vibratile member and may be operated bya link which engages the hammer. A screw positioned in the 'flyjack isadapted to engage a shoulder portion on the hammer butt to cause theflyjack to be moved as the hammer is rotated thereby. This causes theflyjack to move to a position so that the portion normally engaging thecapstan in the kep is moved therefrom and an offset por- This provideslet off action so that the hammer strikes the string in a free swingingmovement. Engagement between the capstan and the offset portion of theflyjack permits fast repetition when required. A spoon member secured tothe hammer butt engages a felt portion on the flyjack to check movementof the hammer and also to move the flyjack back to the proper positionfor full stroke operation. The screws in the damper and the flyjack arereadily accessible for adjustment of the action.

Referring now to the drawings, the key and action assembly is shownmounted on a key bed If having a center balance rail 11 about which keys12 are pivoted. The keys have front portions 13 adapted to be engaged bythe person playing the instrument. The action is supported by frame 15which supports rails 16, 17 and 18. The fixed support 20 serves as amounting for the vibratile member 21 which may be a vibrating reed, a

string, or any horizontally positioned vibratile member used to producea musical sound.

The action includes a hammer 25 having a head 26 adapted to swingupwardly to strike the member 21. The hammer has a butt 27 pivoted toflange 28 secured to the rail 16. Pivoted to the butt 27 is a flyjack 30which extends downwardly from the hammer butt. The flyjack 3 includesstep portions on the lower side with the portion 31 normally engaging aprojection at the rear end of the key 12 shown as a capstan 32, and theoffset portion 33 being positioned to engage the capstan under certainconditions as will be explained.

A screw 41 is adjustably threaded in the extension 42 of the flyjack 3thfor engagement with the shoulder 33 on the hammer butt. This causespivotal movement of the flyjack 3% as will be further described. A spoon45 is secured to the hammer butt 27 and is positioned to engage a felt46 secured to the fiyjack 30. The spoon 45 and felt 46 form a back checkand also serve to position the flyjack as will be described more indetail.

A damper 35 has a head 36 normally engaging the member 21. Thisengagement is produced by the spring 37 which causes the damper 35 to bebiased in a clockwise direction with respect to the supporting flange 33which is secured to the rail 18. A screw 39 is adjustably threaded inthe damper butt portion and has a head adapted to be engaged by a felt40 on the hammer butt 2'7.

Fig. 2 shows the action after the front portion 13 of the key 12 hasbeen depressed to a point at which the hammer head 26 is closelyadjacent to the vibratile member 21 but not in contact therewith. As thecapstan 32 is lifted, engagement thereof with the portion 31 of theflyjack causes the hammer butt 27 to pivot and the hammer head 26 toswing upwardly. Pivotal movement of the butt 27 causes the felt 4t)thereon to engage the screw 39 of the damper to move the damper in acounterclockwise direction so that the head 36 thereof is lowered to aposition out of engagement with the vibratile member 21.

As the hammer butt swings upwardly, the felt 43 thereof engages the headof the screw 41 to cause the flyjack 30 to move in a clockwise positionso that the lower step portion 31 moves to the left. In the positionshown in Fig. 2, the portion 31 of the flyjack 30 is just about to bemoved clear of the capstan 32. As the key is further depressed, thefiyjack 30 will move further to the left to a position so that theportion 31 is clear of the capstan 32 and the offset portion 33 ispositioned above the capstan. Since the portion 33 is offset, it willnot be directly engaged by the capstan and a let-off effect will occur.This permits the hammer 25 to swing freely as the head 26 thereofstrikes the string.

When the key 12 is released and the capstan 32 is lowered, the hammerwill drop down and the spoon 45 thereon will engage the felt 46 on theflyjack 30. This will tend to check the movement of the hammer so thatit will not bounce back to strike the member 21 a second time.Engagement of the spoon 45 with the felt 46 will also tend to rotate thefiyjack 30 in a counterclockwise direction so that the portion 31thereof will swing to a position in engagement with the capstan 32.Accordingly, the action will be restored to the position shown in Pig. 1wherein the damper is in engagement with the member 21, the hammer is inengagement with the hammer rest formed by rail 17, the spoon 45 is inengagement with the felt 46 on the fiyjack, and the fiyjack ispositioned with the stepped portion 31 thereof in engagement with thecapstan 32 on the key.

Fig. 3 shows the repetition action which results when a second movementof the key takes place Without allowing the key to assume its normalposition and the action to come to rest in the position shown in Fig. 1.As stated in connection with Fig. 2, when the hammer is immediatelyadjacent the vibratile member 21, the flyjack 30 is rotated clockwise toa position so that the oifset portion 33 is directly above the capstan32. If I the key is operated again while the action is in this position,engagement of the capstan 32 with the offset portion 33 will cause thehammer butt 27 to pivot so that the hammer head 26 swings upwardly toagain engage the vibratile member 21. Accordingly, while a let-off isprovided permitting the hammer to swing freely as the head engages themember 21, a second swing of the hammer can be produced by repeatedmovement of the key without allowing the entire key and action assemblyto come to the normal rest position. This is an extremely importantfeature since in many musical numbers it is necessary to provide fastrepetition which is accomplished by allowing the key to be onlypartially released and actuated a further time very quickly to repeatthe tone.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that the action described has aminimum number of parts which are compactly arranged. Accordingly theaction can be provided in a very small space and can be constructed atrelatively small expense. Another important feature of the action is theease with which it may be adjusted and regulated. The screws 39 and 41are shown having flattened ends which may be engaged by a tool to adjustthe position thereof to regulate the action. The capstan 32 can ofcourse be adjusted in the usual way and the spoon 45 can be adjusted bybending to provide the required engagement between the spoon and thefelt 46 on the fiyjack. The parts are so positioned that the elementswhich must be adjusted are easily accessible for regulation of theaction.

Figs. 4, 5 and 6 show a modified construction of the key and action withthe former being reversed so that the head extends toward the front ofthe key to reduce the depth of the key and action assembly. Fig. 4 showsthe unoperated position, Fig. 5 the operated position just beforelet-off, and Fig. 6 the position after let-off. The damper is positionedto engage the vibratile member on the top and the hammer engages themember from the bottom. The entire action assembly is mounted on asingle fixed rail.

Considering now the detailed construction of Figs. 46, the key 12 has aprojection at the rear thereof, illustrated as a capstan 32, whichengages the flyjack 3t pivotally mounted on the hammer 25, all as inFig. l. The hammer is of different configuration being made of a singlemember pivoted at St} to the flange 51. The flange 51 is secured to afixed rail 52. The hammer has an extension 53 which engages the pad 54on rail 53 to provide a rest for the hammer. The flyjack 36 is pivotallymounted on the hammer at 55 and has a portion 56 engaging the head ofscrew 57 adjustably positioned in projection 58 of the hammer. Thehammer has a head 59 for engaging the vibratile member 21 on theunderside thereof.

The damper 35 is pivoted on a flange 60 mounted on the upper part 61 ofthe fixed rail. A spring 62 holds the damper against the vibratilemember. A link 63 having an adjustable portion 64': positioned in anopening in the damper is coupled to the hammer 25 adjacent the pivot 50to lift the damper as the hammer starts its swing. A pivoted arm 65supports a bar 66 which may be moved to a position to raise the dampersof all the keys by operation of a pedal or the like. This corresponds tothe usual expression mechanism of a piano action.

Fig. 5 shows the action with the key depressed so that the hammer israised to the position such that the head of screw 57 engages theprojection 56 of fiyjack 30 so that the stepped surface 31 of theflyjack is almost clear of capstan 32. The damper 35 is raised from themember 21 by action of the link 63. As the key is further depressed thehammer will continue to move upwardly toward member 21. As shown in Fig.6 the surface 31 is moved clear of the capstan 32 and as surface 33 isrecessed a let-ofi action takes place. The hammer will continue in afree swing to strike member 21. When the key is repeatedly depressed,the action of capstan 32 against the surface 33 will produce repeatedstriking of the member 21. When the key is released the spoon 45 willcause the tlyjack to move to the normal position as shown in Fig.

The embodiment of Figs. 46 has certain advantages in that the hammer isreversed to take less space; the hammer is of extremely simpleconstruction, and the cooperation of the hammer and damper is simple anddirect. The adjustment of screw 57 and of the portion 64 of the damperlink are readily accessible from the top of the action.

it is therefore seen that a highly effective yet extremely simple actionis provided including an upstriking hammer adapted to engage ahorizontally positioned vibratile member. Since the flyjack which ispivoted on the hammer directly engages the capstan on the key, thewhippen usually required in such actions is completely eliminated.Further, complicated mechanisms generally required to provide let-offaction and fast repetition are eliminated since the flyjack is of such aconstruction to provide both these effects. The damper is directlyoperated from the hammer to further eliminate linkages required in otheractions of this type. The construction is so arranged that springs arenot required to hold the elements and components in proper position withthe exception of the damper wherein a spring is used to hold the sameagainst the vibrating member. These features re salt in greatsimplification of the action and also provide highly desirableoperational characteristics.

1 claim:

1. A key and action assembly for a musical instrument having ahorizontally extending vibratile member including in combination, afixed rail structure, a hammer having a portion pivotally connected tosaid rail structure and a head adapted to move upwardly to engage thevibratile member, a flyjack pivotally connected to said hammer andextending downwardly therefrom, and a key having a front part foroperation by a person playing the musical instrument, an intermediatepivoted part, and a back part extending below said flyjack, said backpart of said key including a projecting portion for engaging saidflyjack for causing movement thereof to thereby rotate said hammer sothat said head thereof is moved toward the vibratile member, saidflyjack having a first portion normally engaging said projecting portionof said key and a second portion which engages a portion of said hammerin response to rotation of said hammer such that said head thereofapproaches the vibratile member, with the engagement between saidportions of said flyjack and said hammer moving said flyjack so thatsaid first portion thereof moves away from said key portion to providelet-oif action.

2. A key and action assembly for a musical instrument having ahorizontally extending vibratile member including in combination, afixed rail structure, a hammer having a portion pivotally connected tosaid rail structure and a head adapted to move upwardly to engage thevibratile member, a flyjack pivotally connected to said hammer andextending downwardly therefrom, a key having a front part for operationby a person playing the musical instrument, an intermediate pivotedpart, and a back part extending below said flyjack, said back part ofsaid key including a projecting portion for engaging said flyjack forcausing movement thereof to thereby move said hammer so that said headthereof is moved toward the vibratile member, said flyjack having afirst portion normally engaging said key portion for transferringmovement from said key to said hammer, and adjustable means providingengagement between said hammer and said flyjack in response to rotationof said hammer such that said hammer head approaches the vibratilemembers, with the engagement between said hammer and said flyjack movingsaid fiyjacl: so that said g first portion thereof moves away from saidkey portion to provide let-ofi action.

3. A key and action assembly for a musical instrument having ahorizontally extending vibratile member including in combination, afixed rail structure, a hammer having a portion pivotally connected tosaid rail structure and a head adapted to move upwardly to engage thevibratile member, a flyjack pivotally connected to said hammer andextending downwardly therefrom, and a key having a front part foroperation by a person playing the musical instrument, an intermediatepivoted part, and a back part extending below said flyjack, said backpart of said key including a projecting portion for engaging saidflyjack for causing movement thereof to thereby move said hammer so thatsaid head thereof is moved toward the vibratile member, said flyjackhaving a first portion normally engaging said key portion fortransferring movement from said key to said hammer and a second offsetportion, said hammer including adjustable means for engaging a portionof said flyjack as said hammer head approaches the vibratile members tomove said flyjack so that said first portion thereof moves away fromsaid key portion and said second offset portion is aligned with said keyportion to provide let-off action, said key portion engaging said secondportion of said flyjack for causing operation of said hammer in responseto rapid repetition of said key.

4. A key and action assembly for a musical instrument having ahorizontally extending vibratile member including in combination, afixed rail structure, a hammer having a butt pivotally connected to saidrail structure and a head adapted to move upwardly to engage thevibratile member, a flyjack pivotally connected to said hammer butt andextending downwardly therefrom, a damper pivotally connected to saidrail structure and having a head normally engaging the vibratile member,and a key having a front part for operation by a person playing themusical instrument, an intermediate pivoted part, and a back partextending below said flyjack, said flyjack having first and secondstepped portions on the lower part thereof, said back part of said keyincluding a portion for engaging said lower part of said flyjack forcausing movement thereof to thereby move said hammer so that said headthereof is moved toward the vibratile member, said flyjack beingarranged so that said first stepped portion normally engages said keyportion and said second stepped portion moves into a position forengagement with said key portion as said hammer head approaches thevibratile member to provide let-off action, said damper having a portionadapted to be engaged by said hammer but for moving said damper headfrom said vibratile member as said hammer head approaches the vibratilemember.

5. A key and action assembly for a musical instrument having a vibratilemember including in combination, a fixed rail structure, a hammer havinga butt pivotally connected to said rail structure and a head adapted toengage the vibratile member, a flyjack pivotally connected to saidhammer butt, a damper pivotally connected to said rail structure andhaving a head normally engaging the vibratile member, and a key having afront part for operation by a person playing the musical instrument, anintermediate pivoted part, and a back part extending adjacent saidflyjack, said back part of said key including a portion for engagingsaid flyjack for causing movement thereof to thereby move said hammer sothat said head thereof is moved toward the vibratile member, saidflyjack having a first portion normally engaging said key portion andmoving out of engagement with said key portion as said hammer headapproaches the vibratile member to provide let-off action, said damperhaving an adjustable portion in engagement with said hammer but formoving said damper head from said vibratile member as said hammer headapproaches the vibratile member.

6. A key and action assembly for a musical instrument having ahorizontally extending vibratile member including in combination, afixed rail structure, a hammer having a butt pivotally connected to saidrail structure and a head adapted to move upwardly to engage thevibratile member, a flyjack pivotally connected to said hammer butt andextending downwardly therefrom, a damper pivotally connected to saidrail structure and having a head normally engaging the vibratile member,and a key having a front part for operation by a person playing themusical instrument, an intermediate pivoted part, and a back partextending below said flyjack, said back part of said key including aportion for engaging said flyjack for causing movement thereof tothereby move said hammer so that said head thereof is moved toward thevibratile member, said flyjack having a first portion normally engagingsaid key portion and a second portion which engages said hammer butt assaid hammer head approaches the vibratile member to move said flyjack sothat said first portion thereof moves away from said key portion toprovide let-off action, said damper having an adjustable portion inengagement with said hammer butt for moving said damper so that saidhead thereof moves from said vibratile member as said hammer headapproaches the vibratile member.

7. A key and action assembly for a musical instrument having ahorizontally extending vibratile member including in combination, afixed rail structure, a hammer having a butt pivotally connected to saidrail structure and a head adapted to move upwardly to engage thevibratile member, a fiyjack pivotally connected to said hammer andextending downwardly therefrom, a key having a front part for operationby a person playing the musical instrument, an intermediate pivotedpart, and a back part extending below said flyjack, said back part ofsaid key including a portion for engaging said fiyjack for causingmovement thereof to thereby move said hammer so that said head thereofis' moved toward the vibratile member, said fiyjack having a firstportion normally engaging said key portion, and adjustable meansproviding a connection between said hammer and said flyjack for movingsaid flyjack in response to rotation of said hammer so that said firstportion of said fivjack moves away from said key portion to providelet-01f action.

8. A key and action assembly for a musical instrument having ahorizontally extending vibratile member including in combination, afixed rail structure, a hammer having a butt pivotally connected to saidrail structure and a head adapted to move upwardly to engage thevibratile member, a fiyjack pivotally connected to said hammer andextending downwardly therefrom, a key having a front part for operationby a person playing the musical instrument, an intermediate pivotedpart, and a back part extending below said flyjack, said back part ofsaid key including a portion for engaging said fiyjack for causingmovement thereof to thereby move said hammer so that said head thereofis moved toward the vibratile member, said flyjack having a firstportion normally engaging said key portion and a second portion whichengages said hammer as said hammer head approaches the vibratile memberto move said flyjac'k so that said first portion thereof moves away fromsaid key portion to provide let'otf action, and a spoon secured tosaid'hammer and adapted to engage said flyjack as said hammer returns toits normal position to check movement of said hammer and to return saidflyjack to its normal position. a

9. A key and action assembly for a musical instrument having ahorizontally extending vibratile member including in combination, afixed rail structure, a hammer having a butt pivotally connected to saidrail structure and a head adapted to move upwardly to engage thevibratile member, a flyjack pivotally connected to said hammer andextending downwardly therefrom, a key having a front part for operationby a person playing the musical instrument, an intermediate pivotedpart, and a back part extending below said flyjack, said back part ofsaid key including a portion for engaging said flyjack for causingmovement thereof to thereby move said hammer so that said head thereofis moved toward the vibratile member, said flyjack having a'firstportion normally engaging said key portion and a second portion Whichengages a projecting portion on said hammer as said hammer headapproaches the vibratile member to move said fiyjack so that said firstportion thereof moves away from said key portion to provide let-otfaction, and a spoon secured to said hammer, said fiyjack includingresilient means positioned to be engaged by said spoon as said hammerreturns to its normal position to check movement of said hammer and toreturn said flyjack to its normal position.

10. A key and action assembly for a musical instrument having ahorizontally extending vibratile member including in combination, afixed rail structure, a hammer having a butt pivotally connected to saidrail structure and a head adapted to move upwardly to engage thevibratile member, a flyjack pivotally connected to said hammer butt andextending downwardly therefrom, a damper pivotally connected to saidrail structure and having a head normally engaging the vibratile member,a key having a front part for operation by a person playing the musicalinstrument, an intermediate pivoted part, and a back part extendingbelow said flyjack, said flyjack having a first engaging portion and anoffset engaging portion, said back part of said key including a portionfor engaging said fiyjack and normally engaging said first engagingportion thereof to cause movement of said flyjack to thereby move saidhammer so that said head thereof approaches the vibratile member, saidflyjack having an adjustable portion which engages said hammer butt assaid hammer head approaches the vibratile member to move said fiyjack sothat said first engaging portion thereof moves away from said keyportion to provide letoff action, said offset engaging portion of saidflyjack being positioned for engagement by said key portion to causeoperation of said hammer in response to repeated movement of said key,said damper having a portion adapted to be engaged by said hammer buttfor moving said damper head from said vibratile member as said hammerhead approaches the vibratile member, and a spoon secured to said hammerbutt and adapted to engage said flyjack as said hammer returns to itsnormal position, said spoon operating to check movement of said hammerand tending to return said fiyjack to its normal position.

11. A key and action assembly for a musical instrument having ahorizontally extending vibratile member including in combination, afixed rail structure, a hammer having a portion pivotally connected tosaid rail structure and a head adapted to move upwardly to engage thevibratile member, a flyjack pivotally connected to said hammer andextending downwardly therefrom, a key having a front part for operationby a person playing the musical instrument, an intermediate pivotedpart, and a back part extending below said flyjack, said back part ofsaid key including a projecting portion for engaging said fiyjack forcausing movement thereof to thereby move said hammer so that said headthereof is moved toward the vibratile member, said flyjack having afirst portion normally engaging said key portion and a second portionwhich engages a projection on said hammer as said hammer head approachesthe vibratile member to move said fiyjack so that said first portionthereof moves away from said key portion to provide let-off action, anda spoon secured to said hammer butt and adapted to engage said flyjackas said hammer returns to its normal position to check movement of saidhammer and to return said flyjack to its normal position.

12. A key and action assembly for a musical instrument having ahorizontally extending vibratile member including in combination, afixed rail structure, a hammer having a portion pivotally connected tosaid rail structure and a head adapted to move upwardly to engage thevibratile member, a flyjack pivotally connected to said hammer andextending downwardly therefrom, a key having a front part for operationby a person playing the musical instrument, an intermediate pivotedpart, and a back part extending below said flyjack, said back part ofsaid key including a projecting portion for engaging said flyjack forcausing movement thereof to thereby move said hammer so that said headthereof is moved toward the vibratile member, said flyjack having afirst portion normally engaging said key portion and a second portionoifset with respect to said first portion, said flyjack having aprojection which engages a projection on said hammer as said hammer headapproaches the vibratile member to move said flyjack so that said firstportion thereof moves away from said key portion and said second portionof said flyjack is aligned with said key portion to provide let-ofiaction, and a spoon secured to said hammer butt and adapted to engagesaid flyjack as said hammer returns to its normal position to checkmovement of said hammer and to return said flyjack to its normalposition.

13. A key and action assembly for a musical instrument having avibratile member including in combination, a fixed rail structure, ahammer having a portion pivotally connected to said rail structure and ahead adapted to engage the vibratile member, a flyjack pivotallyconnected to said hammer, a damper pivotally connected to said railstructure and having a head normally engaging the vibratile member, akey having a front part for operation by a person playing the musicalinstrument, an intermediate pivoted part, and a back part extendingadjacent said flyjack, said back part of said key including a projectingportion for engaging said flyjack for causing movement thereof tothereby move said hammer so that said head thereof is moved toward thevibratile member, said flyjack having a first portion normally engagingsaid key portion and moving out of engagement with said key portion assaid hammer head approaches the vibratile member to provide let-offaction, means secured to said hammer adapted to engage said flyjack tocheck movement of said hammer, and adjustable means coupling said damperto said hammer for moving said damper head from said vibratile member assaid hammer head approaches the vibratile member.

14. A key and action assembly for a musical instrument having avibratile member including in combination, a fixed rail structure, ahammer having a portion pivotally connected to said rail structure and ahead adapted to move upwardly to engage the lower side of the vibratilemember, a flyjack pivotally connected to said hammer and extendingdownwardly therefrom, a damper pivotally connected to said railstructure and having a head normally engaging the vibratile member onthe upper side thereof, and a key having a front part for operation by aperson playing the musical instrument, an intermediate pivoted part, anda back part extending adjacent said flyjack, said back part of said keyincluding a projecting portion for engaging said flyjack for causingmovement thereof to thereby move said hammer so that said head thereofis moved toward the vibratile member, said flyjack having a firstportion normally engaging said key portion and a second otfset portionmoving into alignment with said key portion as said hammer headapproaches the vibratile member to provide let-off action,

18 said damper having adjustable coupling means in engagement with saidhammer for moving said damper head from said vibratile member as saidhammer head approaches the vibratile member.

15. A key and action assembly for a musical instrument having avibratile member including in combination, a fixed rail structure, ahammer having a portion pivotally connected to said rail structure and ahead adapted to engage the vibratile member, a flyjack pivotallyconnected to said hammer, and extending downwardly therefrom, a damperpivotally connected to said rail structure and having a head normallyengaging the vibratile member, a key having a front part for operationby a person playing the musical instrument, an intermediate pivotedpart, and a back part extending adjacent said flyjack, said back part ofsaid key including a portion for engaging said flyjack for causingmovement thereof to thereby move said hammer so that said head thereofis moved toward the vibratile member, said flyjack having a firstportion normally engaging said key portion and moving out of engagementwith said key portion as said hammer head approaches the vibratilemember to provide let-off action, and a coupling link having anadjustable portion in engagement with said damper and connected to saidhammer adjacent to said pivot portion thereof for moving said damperhead from said vibratile member as said hammer head approaches thevibratile member.

16. A key and action assembly for a musical instrument having ahorizontal vibratile member including in combination, a single fixedrail, a hammer having a portion pivotally connected to said rail and ahead adapted to swing upwardly to engage the vibratile member, saidhammer having a portion extending from said pivot portion in thedirection opposite to said hammer head and engaging said fixed rail tolimit the downward movement of said hammer head, a flyjack pivotallyconnected to said hammer and extending downwardly therefrom, a damperpivotally connected to said fixed rail and having a head normallyengaging the vibratile member, a key having a front part for operationby a person playing the musical instrument, an intermediate pivotedpart, and a back part extending adjacent said flyjack, said back part ofsaid key including a portion for engaging said flyjack for causingmovement thereof to thereby move said hammer so that said head thereofis moved toward the vibratile member, said flyjack having a firstportion normally engaging said key portion and moving out of engagementwith said key portion as said hammer head approaches the vibratilemember to provide a let-off action, and a coupling link having anadjustable portion in engagement with said damper and with said hammeradjacent to said pivot portion thereof for moving said damper head fromsaid vibratile member as said hammer head approaches the vibratilemember.

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